Free Pick | MLB | Wednesday | Aug. 14

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#964 Minnesota Twins (Varland) -105 over Kansas City Royals (Ragans) 12:10 PM CT

Louie Varland is 0-4 with a 6.46 ERA this season but most of the struggles came back in April. Since returning to the Twins in June and now August, Varland has a 3.21 ERA over three starts, with only one walk allowed in 14 innings. Cole Ragans was an All-Star this season, continuing the success he had in a mixed role last season after being traded from Texas to Kansas City and switching from a relief role to a starting role. Ragans has not pitched as well since the All-Star Break however with a 4.40 FIP and elevated walk and home run rates. He is also 0-2 vs. the Twins this season. Minnesota is 7-2 in this series and the Twins are 8-4 in August while +28 in scoring, beating quality starters the past two days to take this series even after a disappointing weekend vs. the Guardians. The Minnesota bullpen has survived the challenge of a double-header last week and Joe Ryan’s injury and owns a 0.79 WHIP and a 2.37 ERA in the past five games. Kansas City continues to struggle in the late innings including a 6.61 bullpen ERA with a 1.59 WHIP in the past five games. Minnesota owns a slightly stronger team OPS vs. left-handers this season while going 19-14 vs. left-handed starters and the Twins are 25-12 in home games since late May. Kansas City pitching has allowed six or more runs six times in the past nine games and after getting short starts from Seth Lugo and Brady Singer the past two days the pitching staff is thin behind Ragans this afternoon.

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